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Original poster

So, I have a doctors appoinment tomorrow - what do I say to make him realise I need more help?

26 replies

eNABlemetobebetter · 02/02/2009 21:15

Tablets not helping at the moment.
Can't be bothered with anything.
In self destruct mode.
Need more help than tablets.
Sick of all this.
Can humans hibernate, do you think?

BTW GP thinks I am unipolar.

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/02/2009 21:18

Just print this off and hand it to him. You sound depressed at the moment, you are acknowledging that you need help and this is a huge step forward. Is there someone who will go with you so they can support you?

Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 02/02/2009 21:22

Was hoping DH could come but we are snowed in so he will have to stay with the kids and then go to work when I get back.

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/02/2009 21:32

What about a really good friend/sister?

Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 02/02/2009 21:32

have neither

I have been seeing him for ages. Will just have to make him take notice of me this time or will see someone else

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/02/2009 21:34

What is it you want him to do?

Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 02/02/2009 21:36

Come up with something I guess.

He doesn't think counselling will help me. Must be the only person to think so.

OP posts:
Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 02/02/2009 21:38

I am off to bed, feel like it will be a long night.....

OP posts:
smellyeli · 02/02/2009 21:39

Maybe if you use some key phrases they might realise how serious it is.

Hibernate = get away from everything

Can't be bothered = low motivation

Tablets not helping = resistant symptoms

Sick of all this = feelings of despair

Self-destruct = well, that should ring some alarm bells in even the most unbothered doc.

Good luck. Hope you get some more help. Let us know how it went.

scrooged · 02/02/2009 21:41

Maybe CBT or seeing a referal to a more qualified professional will help. Counselling is good for depression/anxiety but if you have a more complicated problem then he needs to refer you to a specialist (psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist) for the right support and treatment. Pills just don't make things better, they are not designed to do this. They can pop a lid on things for some people or help others cope for a while but the problems are still there. They quicker you get some help the quicker you can move on.

I would just go in, explain how you are feeling and insist on a referal.

Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 03/02/2009 08:05

Thanks all.

Have printed this thread off.

He thinks a lot of it is just normal motherhood stress.

OP posts:
smellyeli · 03/02/2009 15:36

How did it go?

Original poster
eNABlemetobebetter · 03/02/2009 16:19

Nearly fainted when I saw he had a student in with him.

Doc asked how things were and I answered without thinking "crap." He looked a bit surprised but said it was fine when I apologised.

On full whack tablets.
Is referring me to a psychiatrist.
I asked for help with the children and he said he will ring the health visitor.
Have to go back and see him in a month.
I cried.
DH came with me but didn't say anything.
We need to talk later.

Thanks to all who have stuck by me and not deserted me as I have been a pain, I know.

OP posts:
smellyeli · 03/02/2009 17:11

Sounds good. Sometimes students are helpful as their presence makes us more thorough!
Hope it all pans out OK.

scrooged · 04/02/2009 19:54

It's a really good start. Well done you for going back, you'll look back on this time in years to come and see it as the start of the rest of your life. I really do hope it all gets sorted for you.

mileniwmffalcon · 04/02/2009 20:13

hi nab i was checking in hoping to find a thread telling us how you got on yesterday, i'm glad that he didn't fob you off. psych is good, did he give you any idea how long that might be? hopefully you should see an improvement with the meds within 10 days or so, is really not long to hold on till then.

how are you feeling having seen the doc? any word from hv?

keep posting and let us know how you're getting on.

NAB09 · 04/02/2009 20:15

Forgot to ask how long it would be for the appointment.

Feel a bit low atm.

Been talking to an old friend from school and telling her about the ex I had contact with. She knew him too as we were all in the same class. I miss him today but I know it is because I feel trapped atm and wish things were as easy as back then. I have felt so low for so long I am not sure how I will ever feel better again.

mileniwmffalcon · 05/02/2009 09:48

i don't know your story nab, it sounds complicated, but don't forget your feelings of being trapped and life being hard are coloured by the depression. if you can hang on for the meds to kick in (and if they haven't by your next gp appt i'd be requesting a change of meds if i were you) then some of the colour will come back into your life - you know those little moments when the kids make you grin from ear to ear.

it is hard when you have young kids, but how it should be is there are enough high points to see you through until it gets easier. at the moment you're too ill to be able to see those moments, but they will come back. how old are yours? i have a 20mo and a 5yo, so when things are tough with the littlun i have reassurance that soon enough she'll be all grown up like her sister.

do you have support with the kids? time for yourself at all?

justaboutindisguise · 05/02/2009 09:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NAB09 · 05/02/2009 12:23

You are right, the depression colours everything.

I can't enjoy my kids who are lovely if very naughty at the moment. I can't enjoy being with my husband who is the most perfect man in the world and totally on my side.

NAB09 · 05/02/2009 12:24

The kids are nearly 8, 51/2 and 4.

DH is a very hands on and a much better parent than me but we don't get regular help with them.

justaboutindisguise · 05/02/2009 12:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mileniwmffalcon · 05/02/2009 17:01

is your youngest at school nab? do you work? i'm wondering if it's possible for you to fit in some kind of regular vigorous exercise (if you don't already). i've always walked and found it helpful last time i was depressed. i've just started running (as in walk for a minute, run for a minute, for 20 minutes or so) and it seems to be giving me a tremendous mood boost, much more so than the walking, although i do still enjoy that - ipod on, wind in hair etc. running seems to be pretty accessible, even for someone like me who's never done any before, and works quickly so you don't have to find very much time to fit it in. does any of this sound interesting/possible?

NAB09 · 05/02/2009 17:26

My youngest goes to playschool. I wanted to start going on my bike but we have had too much snow.

mileniwmffalcon · 05/02/2009 17:32

yeah this week not really a good one for getting out is it? i bet biking hard would give you the same kind of lift, do see if you can get out there as soon as it clears.

mileniwmffalcon · 05/02/2009 17:33

do you spend playschool time doing housework etc or doing stuff to look after yourself? you need to push your wellbeing up the priorities right now.